In 500-750 words, evaluate the merits of restorative justice programs by doing the following:
Locate a restorative justice program that is currently in use by a justice agency.
1. Use research sources to explain how effective this type of program is.
2. Explain if you feel the benefits outweigh the costs, and why.
Use the Library to locate three to five relevant, scholarly sources only in support of your content, no older than 5 years.
An abstract is not required.
****Use this textbook as a source please.
Siegel, L. J. (2018). Criminology: Theories, patterns, and typologies (13th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. ISBN-13:
9781337091848
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Restorative Justice
The United Nations set up a program called “restorative justice” to try to change the way criminal justice works. Restorative justice is often seen as the way forward by the UN when it comes to rebuilding after a war (Wykenseagrave, 2017). The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was created in 2000. Its goal was to find out what the member states, associated non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations, and the United Nations Crime Prevention and Crime Justice Program network institution thought about the usefulness of restorative programs when it came to crimes committed by young people. This program works because it encourages the members (states that are part of the UN) to learn more about restorative justice programs, their basic ideas, and how this program can be used to run and improve restorative justice programs for young people.
The ECOSOC also works because it is a flexible and useful alternative to the formal criminal proceedings of the government. Because of this, the restorative justice program can make the criminal justice system less busy (Wykenseagrave, 2017). Recidivism is also lowered by the program. For example, most people who break the law, especially young people, don’t fully understand how their actions affect the community and their victims, or how important it is to follow the rules. ECOSOC gives them a chance to be responsible members of society by letting them see the effects of their actions for themselves. This makes them feel more responsible and helps them get back into the community. So, those who did wrong can make up for it. The restorative justice program also gives the community affected by crime and the people who have been hurt by crime a chance to be at the center of the process and its results (Wykenseagrave, 2017). By doing this, they feel good about themselves and think things are fair. The program works because it gives criminals a chance to make amends to their victims and the community as a whole. Like doing community service or helping crime victims in any other way.
Restorative justice programs are worth more than what they cost. The most important thing about the program is that it includes the people who have been hurt by crime in the process. They feel like things are more fair, they’re happier, and their feelings about criminals change for the better. This means that they won’t hate and be angry at the criminal for the rest of their lives (Wilson. D, et al, 2017). Criminals also have to do community service, like cleaning the streets or taking out the trash. This helps keep the environment clean, and the money that would have been spent on these things can be used for other things. The young people also get some emotional closure and peace of mind.
After talking to their victims and seeing how their feelings have changed toward them, criminals feel better (Wilson. D, et al, 2017). If, for example, a criminal felt so guilty that they hated themselves, talking to their victims would make them feel better about themselves. People who have been through the restorative justice program are less likely to break the law again. After seeing what happens when they do wrong, they change their ways for the better (Siegel. J, 2018). So, the program cuts down on crime and helps the people who have been hurt because it makes them more likely to forgive their offenders.
References
Siegel. J, (2018). Criminology: Theories, patterns, and typologies. 13th edition. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wasworth. ISBN-13: 9781337091848
Wilson. D, Olaghere. A, & Kimbrell. C, (2017). Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Principles in Juvenile Justice: A MetaAnalysis. U.S Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant No. 2015-JF-FX-0063.
